Composite air-permeable elastomeric bra cup

ABSTRACT

A bra cup includes a convexo-concave body and a lining member. The body includes an inner face and an outer face. The body further includes a chamber in a lower section thereof. The lining member is mounted in the chamber and is a silicone foamed elastomer. The lining member includes a plurality of holes in an interior and a surface of the lining member, providing an air-permeable, elastomeric structure. The bra cup is light, soft, air-permeable, elastomeric, durable, and non-deformable while providing an aesthetically pleasing effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bra cup. In particular, the present invention relates to a composite air-permeable bra cup.

2. Description of the Related Art

Bras may provide a support for the bosom of the user while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a conventional bra cup 90 comprising an inner layer of cloth 93, an outer layer of cloth 92, and a body 91 between the layers of cloth 92 and 93, providing a convexo-concave structure. The body 91 is generally made of fabric or foam such as polyurethane foam (PU foam) or polyvinyl alcohol foam (PVA foam) or a combination thereof. Since these foams are thermoplastic, the elastomericity of the bra cup 90 is unsatisfactory. FIG. 2 illustrates another conventional bra cup comprising a body 94 and a bladder 95 that is embedded in the body 94 and that contains fluid 96 for improving the overall elastomericity. However, the bladder 95 is formed by two pieces of tough plastic films by heat pressing. The air-permeability of the body 94 is adversely affected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a bra cup that is highly air-permeable, highly elastomeric, light, soft, durable, and non-deformable.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a bra cup that can provide wearing comfort while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a bra cup comprises a convexo-concave body and a lining member. The body includes an inner face and an outer face. The body further comprises a chamber in a lower section thereof. The lining member is mounted in the chamber and is a silicone foamed elastomer. The lining member includes a plurality of holes in an interior and a surface of the lining member, providing an air-permeable, elastomeric structure. The bra cup is light, soft, air-permeable, elastomeric, durable, and non-deformable while providing an aesthetically pleasing effect.

Preferably, the body is made of thermoplastic foam or fabric.

Preferably, the lining member is enclosed by the body.

Preferably, the body comprises two half pieces that are bonded together, and the lining member is bonded to inner faces of the half pieces.

Preferably, the lining member is made from a first silicon oil containing OH functional group and a second silicon oil containing H functional group.

Preferably, the bra cup further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the inner face of the body.

Preferably, the bra cup comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the outer face of the body.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a bra cup comprises a convexo-concave body and a lining member. The body comprises an inner face and an outer face. The body further comprises a bulged lower section having a chamber. The lining member is mounted in the chamber and is a silicone foamed elastomer made from a first silicon oil containing OH functional group and a second silicon oil containing H functional group. The lining member includes a plurality of holes in an interior and a surface of the lining member, providing an air-permeable, elastomeric structure.

Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional bra cup.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of another conventional bra cup.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bra cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bra cup in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a modified embodiment of the bra cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another modified embodiment of the bra in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a bra cup in accordance with the present invention comprises a body 11 that is convexo-concave to suit the profile of the bosom of a user. The body 111 includes an outer face 14 and an inner face 15. The body 111 may include a bulged lower section 16. The body 11 is an elastomeric air-permeable member made of thermoplastic foam such as polyurethane foam (PU foam) or polyvinyl alcohol foam (PVA foam) or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the body 11 is made of fabric.

A chamber 17 is defined in the lower section of the body 11, and a lining member 2 having a corresponding shape is mounted in the chamber 17. In this embodiment, the lining member 2 is made of silicone foamed elastomer. The lining member 2 includes a plurality of densely distributed holes in the interior and the surface of the lining member 2, providing a highly air-permeable, highly elastomeric structure. In manufacture, a first silicon oil containing OH functional group (such as HO(Me₂SiO)_(n)H) and a second silicon oil containing H functional group (such as (CH₃)₃SiO((SiHCH₃)O)_(n)Si(CH₃)₃) are filled into a mold and dehydrating crosslinking reaction is carried out under catalyzing by platinum catalyst at room temperature to form a foamed elastomer (i.e., the lining member 2). The mold may be heated to a temperature of 70-120° C. to accelerate foaming. Fillers may be added to reinforce the lining member 2. Once formed, the shape of the lining member 2, even heated, does not change. The lining member 2 is soft, light, highly elastomeric, highly air-permeable, durable, and non-deformable. The overall elastomericity of the cup 1 is increased.

The lining member 2 is thoroughly enclosed by the body 11. Adhesive is applied to a plurality of spots on the inner edge of the chamber 17 or on the lining member 2 to improve the positioning effect. When in use, the body 11 is in intimate contact with the skin of the user and is air-permeable to provide wearing comfort while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. This is because the lining member 2 is soft, light, highly elastomeric, highly air-permeable, durable, and non-deformable. The resultant bra cup is light, soft, air-permeable, elastomeric, durable, and non-deformable while providing wearing comfort and providing an aesthetically pleasing effect.

FIG. 5 illustrate a modified embodiment of the invention, wherein the bra cup includes a body 12 made of thermoplastic foam formed by two half pieces 18 and 19 that are bonded together by spot bonding. Preferably, adhesive is applied to a plurality of spots on inner faces of the half pieces 18 and 19 or the lining member 2 to allow bonding between the lining member 2 and the half pieces 18 and 19.

FIG. 6 illustrates another modified embodiment of the invention, wherein the bra cup includes a body 13 made of thermoplastic foam with a lining member 2 embedded therein, as mentioned above. Further, a layer of air-permeable, elastomeric cloth 3 is mounted to the outer face 14 of the body 13, and a layer of air-permeable, elastomeric cloth 31 is mounted to the inner face 15 of the body 13. Each layer of air-permeable, elastomeric cloth 3, 31 may absorb sweat without sacrificing the air-permeability. Further, the layers of air-permeable, elastomeric cloth 3 and 31 may provide an aesthetically pleasing effect.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims. 

1. A bra cup comprising: a convexo-concave body comprising an inner face and an outer face, the body comprising a chamber in a lower section thereof; and a lining member mounted in the chamber, the lining member being a silicone foamed elastomer, the lining member including a plurality of holes in an interior and a surface of the lining member, providing an air-permeable, elastomeric structure.
 2. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is made of thermoplastic foam.
 3. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is made of fabric.
 4. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lining member is enclosed by the body.
 5. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body comprises two half pieces that are bonded together, and wherein the lining member is bonded to inner faces of the half pieces.
 6. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lining member is made from a first silicon oil containing OH functional group and a second silicon oil containing H functional group.
 7. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bra cup further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the inner face of the body.
 8. The bra cup as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bra cup further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the outer face of the body.
 9. A bra cup comprising: a convexo-concave body comprising an inner face and an outer face, the body comprising a bulged lower section having a chamber; and a lining member mounted in the chamber, the lining member being a silicone foamed elastomer made from a first silicon oil containing OH functional group and a second silicon oil containing H functional group, the lining member including a plurality of holes in an interior and a surface of the lining member, providing an air-permeable, elastomeric structure.
 10. The bra cup as claimed in claim 9, wherein the body is made of thermoplastic foam.
 11. The bra cup as claimed in claim 9, wherein the body is made of fabric.
 12. The bra cup as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lining member is enclosed by the body.
 13. The bra cup as claimed in claim 9, wherein the body comprises two half pieces that are bonded together, and wherein the lining member is bonded to inner faces of the half pieces.
 14. The bra cup as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bra cup further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the inner face of the body.
 15. The bra cup as claimed in claim 14, wherein the bra cup further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the outer face of the body. 